Egyptian actor Ashraf Abdel Baqi is rehearsing intensively for his role in the play Helw Wa Kadab, which costars Wahid Seif and Wafaa Amer.

Abdel Baqi was born on September 11, 1963, in Cairo. He is the youngest of six kids born to a non-working mother and a father working as a contractor. In 1986, he graduated from the college of commerce at Ein Shams University.

Abdel Baqi used to fulfill his passion for acting by joining the drama classes in his school and any amateur clubs he heard or knew about. In those days, he took part in nearly 80 plays, in roles from acting and writing to directing.

Abdel Baqi later enrolled in the Academy of Theatrical Arts to study drama. During his last year at the academy, he was chosen by one of his teachers - who happened to be a famous director - for his first real role ever, in a play called Khashab Al Ward (Rosewood). The play had a five-year run, during which he was offered many roles in movies, plays and television shows. His success in this role paved the way for him to reach some of his dreams.

Abdel Baqi has appeared in 41 movies. Rasha Gareaa, with Yasmin Abdel Azziz and directed by Said Hamed, is the latest. He has also been involved with 11 plays and six television series.

Abdel Baqi has participated in several film festivals, both local and international, in which he has been nominated more than once and awarded more than one prize.

Although Abdel Baqi is known first and foremost for his comedy roles, he has evolved to take on more serious and dramatic roles – Albawaba.com